Love,
Love always,
Lots of love,
Regards,
Kind regards,
Warm regards,
Best,
Peace be with you,
God bless,
Blessings,
Love and blessings,
Love and prayers,
Many thanks,
Ciao for now,
One love,
Take care,
Cheers,
Hugs and kisses,
XOXO
xoxo
xxx
xx
X

What does one’s salutation say about them?

I personally love my mother’s salutation of love and prayers. Those two words summarize the essence of my mother. She is all about love and prayers.. two things in life that I couldn’t imagine living without. Sometimes I do borrow her salutation but it doesn’t feel right as it is so perfect for her and I don’t feel worthy.

For the past few years or so I’ve signed everything from hand written notes to emails and texts with xx or xxx. No hugs. Only kisses.
And sometimes I’ll send more than three.. xxxxxxx

Today, for whatever reason, I suddenly thought of a new salutation to brand myself with:
Kisses and cupcakes.. two things that I love and personally could not live without.

So on that note my dears…
I send you lots of kisses and cupcakes!!

I uploaded recent pictures from my camera last night and discovered a few new ones from my recent trip to Miami… and this one in particular captures a few of my favorite things – sunshine, the ocean, palm trees, sunglasses the size of googles, vespas…

Message-in-a-Cookie cutters from Williams-Sonoma…. ummm, DARLING.

There are days when I am so bothered by the rain and all I want is sunshine and clear days and for the rain to go away and come another day.

In the same sentence, there are also days in which I embrace the rain..

Today is one of those days. The melodious rumble of the rainfall outside provides a wonderful excuse to stay home and ponder, dream, pray, reflect and hope.

For breakfast I treated myself to something uber hearty and wholesome:

Hot Quinoa Cereal:

Bring 1/2 cup of quinoa and 1 cup of hemp milk to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into a bowl and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon and top with a little extra splash of hemp milk. And voila! It’s so delicious you will be tempted to make another batch.

“let’s just go downtown for brunch and enjoy the day..”
famous last words of yours truly.

Saturday was a beautiful day here in New York. And there is only one way of showing my brothers how the New Yorkers like to spend their Saturdays…
one word: brunch.
My youngest brother Cameron threatened to skip brunch because of the football games, but I casually reminded him kickoff wasn’t until 4ish and I knew my biggest only challenge was to get him to the brunch spot and once he was there he would never leave. He loves music more than football so I knew it was a done deal once he spotted the live deejay at the restaurant.

So our itinerary was simple:
11am – my friend’s daughter’s RockNRoll one year old birthday bash
2:30pm – brunch at Revel
6pm – home

My brother Brandon was up early and kindly joined me for the 1 year old birthday bash and then we headed downtown to Meatpacking as I really wanted to show him around a few spots before brunch. We started off at The Standard for lattes but there were no bar stools available and the rude couple next to us would not give us the extra bar stool as they continued to occupy it for their jackets and handbag. Rude. Obvi they are not locals.

Next stop: Bagatelle. We graduated to a mimosa.. heck, it was already noon-ish, might as well get a jump start on the day.
Next we head one block over to Revel for brunch.

Three hours later, the four of us kids are each standing on our chairs and in full dance mode. Of course, it’s no secret that I love to dance and was actually one of the first to stand up and start shaking my tail feathers shoulders.. my signature move. I was ready to shake shake shake and get the party started. And my siblings also LOVE to dance. There was no mention of football or kickoff or anything of that nature. There was dancing to be done. And dancing we did. We danced the afternoon away until they kicked everyone out at 6pm.

Next stop: Tortilla Flats. It’s my favorite post-brunch spot if you’re wanting to continue the festivities. We were kicked out after an hour because of a dinner reservation….

Next stop: Barbuto. We were able to sit at the bar as none of the other patrons used the bar stools for storage. I ordered two lattes as this Royal Energizer Bunny was having a hard time keeping up with the crew.

I told myself: this is what I’ve been training for. My brothers are only in town for the weekend. I know we rarely get to hang out all 4 of us together. The dogs were gonna have to survive another few hours as I knew if I went home there was no way I would make it back out of the house. I only had 2 options: keep going or call it a night. But really, deep in my heart I knew I only had one option: to keep going. It was more important for me to spend this time with my brothers than to get my beauty sleep.

Next stop: RDV, the downstairs lounge at Bagatelle. We danced again, for 3 more hours and Cameron, my youngest brother has got rhythm like no one else I know and commanded the attention of the other party revelers.

Our day turned into night and before we knew it, my watch read 3am and this little bunny was ready to call it a night. Thankfully the kids agreed as we had a full day of football the next day and there was no way my brothers would miss the Cowboy game.

Another amazing marathon. We heard Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind at least 2 dozen times throughout the course of the day. One brother loves the song, the other was tired of it playing every hour. What can I say, only in New York. This is how we do it in New York. A New York brunch party requires a New York state of mind.

A note from General Colin Luther Powell, American Statesman and Four Star General in the United States Army, Former Secretary of State to President George W. Bush.

I wanted to share his words of wisdom with you:

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.

Colin Powell

The Kids at The Eldridge in New York City

Photographer: self timer

I once passed Jude Law on the streets of Soho as I was heading to Balthazar for brunch. Sigh.

Anyway. I stumbled upon this behind the scenes footage of Jude Law’s new Dior Homme campaign and I just love it and felt inspired to share it with you.

In this morning yoga’s class, my teacher announces that it is tradition to welcome each new year with 108 sun salutations and then asks us, “Does anybody know what we are celebrating tonight?”

I was more concerned with his previous phrase of the 108 sun salutations as I’m still quite sore from his yoga class 2 days ago. But my mother, energetically blurts out “the Blue Moon!!”

I was so surprised. I had no idea tonight was a Blue Moon and was so proud of my mother for being the only person in a class of 20 yoga devotees that knew that tonight marked a rare occasion of the Blue Moon shining down over us on New Years Eve.

Et voila! Time to skip the 108 sun salutations and pop open the champagne and toast to the Blue Moon!

Thankfully my teacher agreed to only 8 sun salutations in honor of the tradition and while trying to keep my mind off of exactly what number sun salutation we where in the middle of as I was exhausted after the second one, my mind focused on the reality that we are beginning a new decade. And so I pondered, Where will I be in 10 years? What does God have in store for me over the next 10 years? This moment in time 10 years ago, I never ever thought I would be living in New York City and publishing my diary on the internet. Amazing. And the next Blue Moon will not fall on New Years Eve again until 2028. Crazy. I’m stressing myself out as I’m trying to refine my yoga positions.

Back to today. Tonight. The end of 2009. And the beginning of 2010. As I reflect on my life over the past 364 days, there is one thing significant landmark… and that is, I did not pack or unpack one moving box. I was settled into my apartment before the end of 2008 and so far I am still living in the same apartment. But I know, that in my life, the wind does blow and it’s always a sudden and strong gust. There is no doubt in my mind that I am due for another gust of wind.. it’s only a matter of time. The only constant is change… only God knows what 2010 will bring.

All I know is that tonight I will toast the celebration of a new year, a new decade and the glimmer shining down from the Blue Moon. I’m ready. I’m excited for 2010 and what this new year and this new decade has in store. Bring it on. It’s time to pop the bubbly!

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

One of our family traditions during Christmas and for me, the most meaningful and significant tradition, is attending the midnight service on the eve of Christmas.  

Regardless of where we are… Colorado, St Barths or Texas… we  always attend the last service offered.  I have very fond and vivid memories of standing outside in the cold post service at the chapel on the mountain of Beaver Creek in Colorado singing Silent Night while holding a little white candle with a paper cup to collect the wax. It’s always quite magical to have a snowy white winter wonderland as a backdrop and miraculously we were blessed with just enough snowflakes today to dust everything in Texas with a blanket of winter white.

My absolutely favorite Christmas carol is O Holy Night.  If I had a voice to carry that tune I would for sure volunteer to belt it out at every service.  Most likely, I would drive my family mad as I would be singing it year round.  So for whatever reason, God did not bless me with a melodious voice and I realize this so I save the headache for my family and know to stay clear of the karaoke stage. Therefore, I stick with the spiritual gifts He did bless me with.

That being said, one of the first things I do at the Christmas eve service is glance through the program to verify that O Holy Night will be sung be someone blessed with a harmoniously divine voice.  I close my eyes and allow the graceful words of the song to marinate and resonate and permeate.  I wish the song was longer.  I wish the song was sung twice in a row.  For me, O Holy Night magnifies the meaning of Christmas.

I had to do a little research.  And according to Wikipedia, O Holy Night is based from a French poem called “Midnight, Christians.”  
Of course.  
Because I love anything and all things French.  
C’est magnifique!

The ardent light of our Faith,

Guides us all to the cradle of the infant,

As in ancient times a brilliant star

Conducted the Magi there from the orient.

The King of kings was born in a humble manger;

O mighty ones of today, proud of your grandeur,

It is to your pride that God preaches.

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle:

The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was only a slave,

Love unites those that iron had chained.

Who will tell Him of our gratitude,

For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.

People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

Pecan balls rolled in a mountain of powdered sugar resemble little snowballs and bring out the kid in each one of us no matter what our age as we must lick our fingers after indulging in these bite size morsels of heaven. Baked in the oven to perfection, these cookies are best served warm… a little powdered sugar may end up on the counter and it always helps to not cough while in mid chew to prevent a powdered sugar mess.

PECAN BALLS

2 sticks butter, room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
dash of salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
2 cups flour
extra powdered sugar for dipping

Preheat oven to 350.
Cream butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla, pecans and flour. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Bake 12-15 minutes. While cookies are still warm, roll in powdered sugar to coat.

It helps to have friends that grew up in Miami to show you around town.. the trip was nonstop, consisting of brunches, lunches, cocktail parties, birthday parties, dinner parties and of course dancing. In fact two of the nights we closed the venue down and danced until we were asked to leave. I don’t know if it was the flawless weather (knowing that it was freezing in New York), or the fact that I was in good hands and was shown the creme de la creme of South Beach because for the first time ever, I fell in love with Miami. I wanted to stay. I joked with my friends about considering this city for my next move. Footnote: Not that I have any plans to move anytime in the near future.

I could adopt the Latino flair and learn how to salsa and learn Spanish.. perhaps invest in a Vespa to jet around town and finally perfect my tennis skills. I love Miami. I’m already looking for an excuse to get back to South Beach. But until then…

Here are a few of my favorite spots and must-do spots to revisit on my next trip:

The new W Hotel.
The interior does not follow the cookie cutter stamp of previous W Hotel chains. It’s stunning and eclectic and is much more sophisticated in style than I expected. Mr Chow is studded with gorgeous people and makes for fabulous people watching and the cabanas by the pool are fantastic and a perfect spot to leisurely spend a few hours in the evening. Heck, I spotted A ROD there two nights in a row so that’s gotta mean something, right? This spot is cool. And after the deejay shut down at the pool, we mosied over to the club called Wall and danced the night away.

La Goulue in Bal Harbour.
La Goulue is a French bistro originally from New York that was an institution on Madison Avenue for over 20 years and recently shut its doors. Rumor is that they will re-open in NYC in another location, but until that happens, one must travel to Miami to indulge in some of their famous dishes such as the hericot vert salad, steak tartare or cheese souffle. After a long lunch it’s nice to take a stroll through the Bal Harbour Shops.. I did more sightseeing than shopping.. reminds me of a concentrated version of Fashion Island from Newport Beach, California.

La Piaggia.
We went for Sunday lunch. I felt like I was in the South of France.. think Club 55 except with vibrant use of tangerine orange instead of sky blue. Our table was nestled in the sand and masked by three huge umbrellas as no one in our crew actually wanted to bake in the sun. Instead we drank French Rose wine and had a wonderful feast of the freshest crudite platters and grilled fish. It was a glorious afternoon.

Balans.
I met a friend for breakfast Monday morning at Balans on Lincoln Road. I was planning on walking there from my friend’s condo but I started chatting with the guy I shared the elevator with and he told me to take the quarter bus to Lincoln Road as it only costs one quarter. Love that. So we waited for the bus together and he jumped off at the stop before me and I continued on to Lincoln Road. I’m already a local girl. We sat outside and had a delicious omelet and latte. I love breakfast food and am a complete breakfast snob and Balans was delicious. I will definitely frequent this spot for my omelet fix.

This trip we never made it to Casa Tua for drinks, but I do love that spot and will definitely make sure to add it to my list for my next trip. I also want to check out Fontainebleau and LIV. I do hope to be back soon to.. party in the city where the heat is on!